Twin sisters born a year apart at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester

Katia Ugarte was born at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, weighing 5lb 1oz, at 11.40pm on December 31. But her little sister Bianca, weighing 4lb 10oz, didn't arrive until 12.07am on January 1 – in a whole different year.

Macarena and her husband Sebastian Ugarte, 37, first discovered they were expecting twins after a scan 12 weeks into the pregnancy. The couple, originally from Santiago in Chile, have lived in Manchester city centre for three and a half years and been married for five.

Macarena graduated with an MSc in marketing just a fortnight ago at the Manchester Business School, where Sebastian is also studying for a PhD in business and management.

The non-identical twins, the couple’s first children, were induced at 11am on New Year’s Eve.

Macarena, who has cousins who are twins, said: “We were really happy that we were having a baby – and it was such a big surprised to find out that I was having twins.

“It was so unexpected. It was double joy.

“All of our friends were betting when the babies would be born.

“Some said they would be born in 2011 and some said 2012, but no-one could have guessed what would happen.”

Sebastian said: “I just want to thank everyone at the hospital and in the NHS who have looked after us.

“They have been superb. The treatment and support has been fantastic – first class.

“I’ve been telling our relatives and friends on Facebook and they’re all so pleased. They’ve all founded it quite unique and special.”

Katia was the last baby born at the hospital in 2011 and Bianca was the first of 2012.

Anne-Marie Goodall, a matron at St Mary’s, said: “It’s definitely unusual for twins to be born either side of New Year, and so close to midnight as well.”